By Adam Stewart
If you remember the origins of one of the film "Cool Runnings," you recall the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where the inspirational story of the first Jamaican bobsled team came unfolded. Lone Ghanaian Olympian Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong is the 21st century equivalent: An unlikely nation competing in a sport dominated by countries where it, you know, snows. The "Snow Leopard," as he is known to his home nation, is part of just a small handful of Winter Olympians to ever hail from Africa.
With no funds whatsoever provided by his native land, Kwame relies solely on the philanthropy from private corporations and his original (and very cool) clothing line. Leopard Sports Limited is the brand that the he and the ski team from Ghana have developed to pave Kwame's road to his Olympic dream. But those spots aren't just for show — they carry a two-fold symbolism that is true to both his roots and charitable passions.
Embedded in the design are native Ghanaian symbols that represent faith, versatility and strength. The actual spots themselves tie into his own personal philanthropy with the funds Team Ghana has raised above and beyond the cost of the games. Kwame has become heavily involved in the conservation efforts of the Snow Leopard Trust located at the Paradise Wildlife Park in Broxbourne, U.K. Now that is truly an example of embracing the good will and awesome power of the Olympic spirit here in Vancouver.
This all comes from a huge Akon fan who spends most of his time training in his home land on skis designed to roll on grass. Not bad for a guy whose native land never sees a snowflake. And with this crazy lack of snow at the 2010 Winter Olympics, maybe those grass skis of his will come in handy!
